Sensitive Matter
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 4th September 2009
Characters: Corowal, Almonteo
Description: Corowal comes to Almonteo with a discrete favor to ask.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 4, day 22 of Turn 5
"Almonteo," Corowal got up to greet the hallmaster. "We haven't seen each other in a sevenday or has it been almost two?" They were getting so familiar with each other that Corowal already had a glass waiting for him.
"The days all seem to blend together at this point. All I know is that my wife is started to think I have another woman," the Hallmaster grinned as he reached for his waiting glass.
"Oh, poor you," Corowal said. "Would it appease her if you said it's man?" he joked.
"Somehow I think that might actually make things worse," Almonteo laughed. "I think I'll just stick to my 'It's a meeting' story, thank you."
"Perhaps that is the best," Corowal smiled. Then he came serious again. "I have few things to ask from Harper hall. It's a sensitive matter, which I hope will be dealt discreetly."
Almonteo's eyebrows rose slightly. His Harper curiosity was piqued, though tempered with a bit of suspicion. "I would love to be of service if I could be."
Corowal pushed a paper across the desk. It was record where he confirmed Erilite as his daughter. "This needs to be legalized and archived to the Hall's records. As you can see when you read it, it's delicate thing and I don't want to it to made a public matter."
The Hallmaster pulled it towards him, his eyes quickly scanning the contents. There were plenty of records like these in the archives, many submitted by Lord Holders. "Does her birth record claim you as well?"
"No, in the birth record the father's name was left empty," Corowal said.
"I take it you do not want this filed in Emerald Fall's Record archives?" the Hallmaster asked, tapping the document with a finger.
"I think the hall is more safe place for it," Corowal said.
The Hallmaster gave him a one-sided, knowing smile. "I shall need to make a copy of her birthing record for our archives to go with this. And I shall need to witness you either signing this document or affixing your official seal. I would advise signing it. It draws less attention."
"I acquired a copy of her birth record from the Garnet Valley. It was copied by the hold's harper, so it should be enough for you," Corowal said. He got up to fetch the hide from his cabinet. He handed it to Almonteo.
The Hallmaster nodded as his eyes quickly scanned the document. It seemed to have been properly notarized. "Yes, this should do just fine. I just need to see you sign the document acknowledging you sired the young woman, and then I shall sign it as witness. It can be safely put into the archives before the end of the day."
Corowal nodded and scribbled his signature to the document. "There," he said, "she's now legally mine."
Almonteo turned the paper back around towards himself and pulled a pen from the inkwell, and in a practiced hand signed the document with his own name. "Yes, Lord Corowal, she now is. But may I ask," he said as he gently blotted the wet ink from the page, "why you have decided to take this step now?"
"Because I've been procrastinating with it long enough. Because she deserves this, her poor mother deserves it. She had a hard life and only because I once seduced a innocent, young woman and left her with a child," Corowal replied, with flash of rare honesty.
The Hallmaster nodded thoughtfully. "Not all men in your position would accept responsibility after so long."
Corowal just shrugged. In his position, unrecognised bastard was more dangerous than one he had confirmed. At least now he had some sort of control over her, the paternal rights. Now, no one could use her against him, as a way to blackmail him.
"I assume you do not want a copy of this for your own private archives?" Almonteo asked as he rolled the document up.
"No need. It's enough that the Harper's are keeping it," Corowal said.
"I understand," the Hallmaster nodded. "Then we will just file that in the archives."
"Good. Now, that's been dealt with, shall we go to the other business? I've been in contact with the minecraft hall and gotten their recommendation for the architect to plan the new hall," Corowal said.
"Indeed?" Almonteo perked up with interest. "Will it be possible for us both to meet with him?"
"We could invite him here. When would best for you?"
"Let's continue this discussion over dinner. My stomach is growling and I have yet to pay my respects to your pretty young bride," the Hallmaster suggested.
"What an excellent idea," The Lord Holder agreed.
Last updated on the September 8th 2009